JESS ROTHSCHILD
Creator, executive producer,
native New Yorker
Jess is the creator and executive producer of Finding Fire Island, the GLAAD-Award nominated docuseries centered on the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove and The Fire Island Pines.
In 2025, she created and executive produced Cult of Body & Soul, exploring how SOULCYCLE transcended fitness as it captured the New York City zeitgeist with ritual, candlelight and cult of personality.
Since 2019, Jess hosts and produces the weekly series Hot Takes & Deep Dives . Recent guests: Rosie O’Donnell, Sandra Bernhard, Isaac Mizrahi, Roxane Gay, The L Word creator Ilene Chaiken, Mario Cantone, Melissa Etheridge, Michael Musto and Fran Drescher.
Jess was also a founding writer for the largest independent lesbian media site still in existence, Autostraddle, from 2009-2013.
Serving quick hits & deep cuts on queer pop iconography & New York City culture.
Recent guests: Rosie O'Donnell, Sandra Bernhard, Fortune Feimster, Roxane Gay, Fran Drescher, Isaac Mizrahi, Lea DeLaria, Melissa Etheridge, Rachel Dratch, Gina Gershon, Margaret Cho, L Word creator Ilene Chaiken, Julie Klausner and Bruce Vilanch.
As seen on:
Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live, SiriusXM, The Huffington Post, People, The Washington Post and Page Six.
“Finding Fire Island” is a GLAAD-Award nominated docu- series which brings to life how a sleepy, 19th century beach town became a modern day queer mecca for artists and the New York City theater community. Queer history has often been told through the lens of loss and disappearance, but Fire Island has transcended that to survive as a stunning fantasy world and cultural touchstone.
Season Two launched in 2026 and is co-produced with The Pines Historical Society.
Featuring: Margaret Cho, Joel Kim Booster, Billy Porter, John Waters, Matt Rogers, Lina Bradford, Julio Torres, Cody Rigsby, Lady Bunny, Michael Musto
As seen on:
The Hollywood Reporter, NPR, WNYC, People Magazine, The Huffington Post
“Cult of Body & Soul” is a docu-podcast series that explores how SOULCYCLE transcended fitness as it captured the New York City zeitgeist with ritual, candlelight and cult of personality. We expose the intoxicating power dynamic between riders and instructors, the gate-kept instructor training program, the true story behind founders Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler, and the political scandal that torched the brand’s image.
As seen on:
The New York Post, People Magazine, NPR, WNYC, The Daily Mail
Rothschild, in the wild
Out of the studio and into the world — live shows, queer history, conversations and whatever comes next.
Taking stories from headphones to the stage. Live show & concert celebrating the release of Cult of Body & Soul at downtown New York City performance venue Joe’s Pub.
Video archive of all interview subjects including: Margaret Cho, Sandra Bernhard, Rosie O’Donnell, Madonna Blond Ambition Tour dancers,
Jess is Senior Advisor to the Fire Island Pines Historical Society, preserving the artifacts and stories that have shaped The Pines since the 1950s.
